Amateurs aiming for more goals

Dromore Amateurs boss Dean Brownlee is hoping his side will be a much more potent threat up front this season.

Brownlee has added five new signings to his squad over the close season, notably strikers Kenny Gracey and Robert Cody.

Gracey joins the Amateur League Division 1C side from Banbridge Rangers and brings with him a wealth of experience.

“Kenny is a big target man for us, who will win those flick-ons and will be a big asset for us,” said an optimistic Brownlee ahead of Saturday’s curtain-raiser at Shorts FC (kick-off 2pm).

Cody, meanwhile, returns to the club from Dromara Village and Brownlee has high hopes for his new striking options.

He said: “Robert scored 15 goals for the Amateurs two season ago so if our front-men can get that again this season, we’ll do well.

“We still have last year’s top-scorer Stephen Haslem in there and we have Matty Rowan as well so we have plenty of competition up front.

“We still need some competition in midfield but I’m still working to bring that in.”

Also signed to assist Dromore’s campaign are Simon Henderson, Roger Downey, Gerry Fletcher while goalkeeper Andy Rowan joins his brothers Matty and Andy at the club.

Brownlee is hopeful that his rejuvenated squad will make a far brighter beginning to the season than they did last year in order to better their ninth place finish.

“We need to hit the ground running this year,” he said. “Last year, we only managed two points from our first four league games and that wait for our first win lingered on for far too long. We need to try and get that win and get a few points on the board in those first three league matches.

“I want the boys to give me 100% commitment this season and, if we get that, we want to improve on last season’s finish, both in league places and in points. We came ninth in the league, which is the best we’ve done for a few years but we want to push on again this year.

“Pre-season has been quite slow with guys away on holidays and things but the good thing is we only have three league games in August and then hopefully everything will settle down for the season.”